Wednesday...

tempted to try the tourist thing - haven't been to downtown Toronto for like 11 years...

You haven't missed much!

"Well, there's the Broadway shows. How do we get tickets? And then there's the street crime, although I understand we can see that for free."

- Gremlins II

I like to grab a cab to the Fox and Fiddle pub. Its five minutes away, I think it's a British theme place. Lots of good beers on tap including Nova Scotia's favorite Keith's IPA, good food, good atmosphere, and usually one of those silly trivia games going on the TV screens. I've gone over there many times even though I can always get into the MML just to break up the time.
The one thing you need to watch out for is a taxi who can do a short haul, some of them get cranky after the time in line to just go next door!

Last time my inbound flight was late, so I missed my connection to YQR....

I spent 7 hours sitting by Gate 78(?) near the tunnel to T1 watching the arrivals and departures.

I cross the pond to get away from "UK theme"...

LOL, thanks for the suggestion, I think I've actually been there on a previous trip....


Rgds

NNA:

I hate to say it, but I think you're kind of stuck at the airport. Assuming your inbound flight lands at 1300, and allowing about one hour for the aircraft to taxi to the gate, disembarking, immigration, baggage claim, customs, etc --- then allowing yourself 30 minutes minimum to be present at the gate for your connecting flight --- you only have 5 hours.

Regrettably, there is not much to see in the area of the Greater Toronto conurbation that the airport is located. The main attractions (art gallery, museum, science center, etc.) are all about 2 hours round trip travel. You would be right in the middle of rush hour during the drive back to the airport. We have no airport rail service in Canada.

Your best bet might be to check and see if any of the airport area hotels offer an attractive day rate - then you could check in, grab a nap, and be half-way caught up on the time change before you arrive at your final destination. There are a lot of hotels in the airport area that offer free shuttle bus service to and from the airport.

At one time there were "nap rooms" at the terminal - not sure if they are there any more.

I think it would be almost impossible for you to catch the 1350 flight to Freddie unless your inbound flight arrives early. If you arrive on time, you would be very lucky to be walking out of baggage claim before 1330 - and as you pointed out, you would have to change terminals.

Perhaps a Mississauga resident might know more about cultural attractions in the airport area?

A follow up thought - have you checked to see if there is service from Montreal to Freddie in the late afternoon?

You could then fly Toronto - Montreal (there is very frequent service on that route - almost like a subway), and then Montreal - Freddie.

Just a shot in the dark.

The McMichael Art Museum isn't too far from the airport at all, and it's a very pleasant place to spend a few hours. Very nice collection (all or mostly Canadian artists, I believe), relaxing environment, all in all a good place to stop.

Actually... Montreal has rail service from Dorval to downtown by STCUM and VIA. They also offer station check-in and free shuttle from the station to the airport. It's not very frequent though... and it's a 5 minute drive rather than an on-the-spot location.
http://www.viarail.ca/en.airconnect.html


One thing to watch out when choosing an hourly-rate accomodation is there are lots of places for illegal things. Don't be surprised if front desk people assume you are resting a few hours with someone... and ask you if you need adult movies and extra towels. Worse yet, they might ask you if you need a date arranged! It happened to me... well, obviously change hotel if that is the case.

This is where I admit that once, when I had about 4 hours to kill at Pearson, I hopped on the airport shuttle to the nearest subway station and then took the subway midtown to pop into one of my favourite bars to have a beer and chat with the bartender, and then headed back to the airport to catch my flight.

And don't get me started about Fredericton...

Oh, please...

Pity you aren't here this weekend--we could go on about Freddy Beach all night.

NNA - when are you in Toronto? The International Center is about a 5 min walk from T3 (you can shuttle bus from T1 to T3 for free) and they have some interesting stuff going on. This weekend is the Toronto Wine & Cheese Show. Once you pay to get in, there are loads of free good eats and drink. It would be a way to kill a few hours.
www.internationalcentre.com/_home/

duplicate...

[This message has been edited by Whitey (edited 03-21-2001).]